ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
ORDINANCE UPDATES
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
BACKGROUND
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs
(JADUs) are an innovative option for increasing the
density of units on residential lots.
ADUs account for a significant proportion of the
City’s new residential housing production in recent
years.
City’s standards have historically been more lenient
than the minimum State requirements.
ADUs have been prohibited from being sold or
otherwise conveyed separately from the primary
dwelling(s) on the same site.
CITY COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 – ADU ORDINANCE UPDATES 2
HOUSING ELEMENT
PROGRAMS
Adopted Housing Element, Program 5:
Accessory Dwelling Units
“Annually monitor the production and
affordability of ADUs and the progress
made according to the assumptions in
the inventory. Take alternative actions . . .
if not meeting the assumptions.”
CITY COUNCIL, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 – ADU ORDINANCE UPDATES 3
ADU CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION
Allowing conversion of ADUs into
condominiums benefits Alameda by:
◦ Incentivizing ADU construction.
◦ Increasing diversity of ownership housing
types.
◦ Providing more affordable ownership
options.
Such conversions may also:
◦ Reduce the number of ADUs dedicated to
renters, and by extension the overall
rental housing stock.
Planning Board recommended allowing
ADU condominium conversion with renter
protections and development standards
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OTHER AMENDMENTS
Other amendments are intended to adhere to changes in State Law, provide clarity regarding development standards, or to clean up the ordinance formatting:
• Establish front yard setback.
• Codify curb cut removal practices.
• Revise deed restriction requirements.
• Remove unenforceable provisions.
• Reformat statewide exemption ADU’s subsection.
• Update references to Government Code sections.
• Clarify applicability of standards to specific cases. • Clarify applicability of Design Review.
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QUESTIONS?
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